Local MP Alan Campbell recently visited Whitley Bay Veteran’s at Ease charity shop in Whitley Bay.

Veteran’s at Ease is a charity on the front-line supporting veterans, serving military personnel, and their families by providing vital free therapy and support right at the heart of our community – and have been doing so for over a decade.

Alan said “As well as this being an opportunity to hear more about the difference which Veterans at Ease makes in the lives of veterans, I also heard how a funding model known as social investment has helped them expand the services they offer, opening seven new charity shops, employing 28 people, and offering volunteering opportunities to many more across the North East.

This social investment funding has flowed from the ‘Dormant Assets Scheme’ – a successful example of collaboration between the public, private and civil society sectors, responding to the imperative to put forgotten money to better use, rather than letting it gather dust in inactive accounts.

The government is currently considering how to use the next tranche of Dormant Assets Funding – around £700 million of which is allocated to England – and following my visit to Veterans at Ease I have written to the Minister to ask that the Government ensures much of that funding goes directly to those charities and social enterprises which we all know make such a difference in our communities.”